Large Roman Marble Sarcophagus Panel with Medusa

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Exceptional Antiquities | Ethnographic Art

By Artemis Gallery

Oct 11, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-10-11 10:00:00 2018-10-11 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities | Ethnographic Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-ethnographic-art-3500
An important one-day auction featuring museum-worthy examples of classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. Finely carved in low to high relief - a sizeable section of a marble sarcophagus depicting the head of Medusa with a garland of fruit suspended below, a decorative frieze above, and females donning one-shouldered garments and striding forward to each side. Renderings of Medusa by the ancients were traditionally used to ward off evil, hence they were ideal for sarcophagi intended to protect the deceased for all eternity. The juxtaposition of plentiful fruit and flora - grapes, apples, pinecones, and leaves - in the garland symbolizes a promise for eternal bountiful fruition and abundance. Although this piece possesses some age wear as shown, it is remarkable that it survived the onslaught of the early Christian campaigns that destroyed so many exceptional examples of so-called pagan art! Size: 24" W x 21.25" H (61 cm x 54 cm); 24.25" H (61.6 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  The word sarcophagus literally means "flesh-eater" in Greek. Sarcophagi were coffins used throughout the Roman Empire beginning in the second century CE when inhumation burials became more popular than cremation practices of the Republican and early Imperial periods. The rise in sarcophagi usage was inspired by earlier Etruscan and Greek models. This example came from a particularly luxurious sarcophagus as it was made from marble. Less elite examples were made from other stones, wood, and lead. A wonderful section of a marble sarcophagus intended for an elite individual of ancient Rome.
  
  How ironic that the sculptor created a marble (stone) version of this mythical Gorgon monster with writhing serpents in her wavy coiffure whose mere gaze could transform onlookers to stone! Throughout the ages, Medusa has been immortalized in countless works of art. Some of you may be familiar with the dramatic interpretations by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, Peter Paul Rubens, Benevenuto Cellini, Gianlorenzo Bernini, Rene Lalique, Antonio Canova, and the list goes on. These artists of the Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical eras were inspired by ancient renderings of Medusa like this example.
  
  Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #139475

  Condition

  Losses to peripheries, top central apple, and high pointed areas of sarcophagus panel and frieze above as shown. Abrasions to face, coiffure, and other high pointed areas. Still remarkable to find a section of this size and clarity in the carving.
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